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S E C C O N S T I T U T I O N A N D B Y L A W S 2017-2018 SECSPORTS.COM

2017-2018 SOUTHEASTERN CONFERENCE CONSTITUTION & BYLAWS CONSTITUTION OPERATING BYLAWS ADMINISTRATIVE BYLAWS 2201 Richard Arrington Boulevard North - Birmingham, Alabama 35203-1103 Phone (205) 458-3000 Fax (205) 458-3031 www.secsports.com

Foreword This Southeastern Conference Manual was revised during the 1989-90 academic year and approved by the Conference at its May 1990 Annual Meeting. The revised format was first implemented into the 1990-91 SEC Manual and is organized, as the NCAA Manual is, into three major sections as follows: Constitution - Articles 1 through 6; Operating Bylaws - Articles 10 through 22, and Administrative Bylaws - Articles 30 through 32. The subsections of Articles 1-6 in the Constitution of the SEC Manual do not necessarily have any relation to the correspondingly numbered subsections in the NCAA Manual. In the Operating Bylaws and Administrative Bylaws of the SEC Manual, subparagraphs are numbered so that similar provisions are addressed in each manual. A particular subparagraph will appear in the SEC Manual only if the corresponding SEC provision is more restrictive than the NCAA. Thus, if no correspondingly numbered subparagraph is found in the SEC Manual, the reader should interpret the SEC provision to be identical to the NCAA. In those instances where the NCAA does not have a provision comparable to the SEC, the subparagraph is numbered considerably higher than the highest numbered subparagraph in the appropriate section of the NCAA Manual. This system will allow the NCAA to add subparagraphs in that same subsection without the SEC having to renumber all of its paragraphs in the same subsection. The rules and regulations of the NCAA constitute the base for SEC requirements. In some instances, the rules and regulations of the SEC are more restrictive than those of the NCAA, but in no case is the SEC less restrictive than the NCAA. Therefore, in determining rule interpretations, member institutions should first read the applicable Article(s) in the NCAA Manual and then the corresponding Article(s) in the SEC Manual. Provisions in the manual, which require a two-thirds vote for amendment and a unanimous vote for suspension, are called dominant provisions and are denoted in the margin by an asterisk (*). All others require a majority vote for amendment and a two-thirds vote for suspension. The amendment and suspension procedures are covered in Article 5.3 of the SEC Constitution. Supplementary information about policies and procedures for coordination of officiating and administration of championships, meets and tournaments may be found in the Commissioner's Regulations. The Commissioner's Regulations shall be amended by the following procedure: Sport and/or officials committees forward the proposed changes to the Athletics Directors for final action. No revision shall become effective until approved by the Athletics Directors. This manual applies to both men's and women's athletics, except where NCAA waivers exist for women.

History of the SOUTHEASTERN CONFERENCE A pioneer in the integration of higher education and athletic competition, the Southeastern Conference is a leader on the national landscape for intercollegiate athletics in the 21st century. Since its formation in 1933, the SEC has achieved stature and stability by designating governing/voting power to the presidents of the member institutions. These university leaders determine the policies of the conference and through the years this involvement has been the principal source of strength in the evolution of the SEC. Throughout its 82-year history, the SEC has provided leadership on the vital issues facing intercollegiate competition. Alabama, Auburn, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, LSU, Mississippi, Mississippi State, Tennessee and Vanderbilt have been in the SEC since its formation in 1933. The league has expanded twice, adding Arkansas and South Carolina in 1991, then Missouri and Texas A&M in 2012. Organization, Contraction and Expansion SEC schools began athletic competition with one another more than 100 years ago as members of the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association. Seven institutions (Alabama, Auburn, Georgia, Georgia Tech, North Carolina, Sewanee and Vanderbilt) attended the SIAA organizational meeting of faculty representatives, called by Dr. William L. Dudley of Vanderbilt, in Atlanta Dec. 22, 1894. Student teams from the schools began meeting in various sports with little pattern to their contests. The American adaptation of the English game rugby, called football, was drifting down from the East and Midwest. Southerners were quickly attracted to this sport formalized in 1869. The first football game in the Southeast was played April 9, 1880, on the ground now called Old Stoll Field at the University of Kentucky. Kentucky A&M (now UK) organized a team and in November 1881, played Transylvania College in a three-game series. By 1895, 11 current SEC members were playing football. Basketball moved quickly to the South as Vanderbilt was playing at the Nashville YMCA in 1893, just two years after Dr. James Naismith originated the game at Springfield (Mass.) College. Track was organized on a conference level at the 1895 SIAA meeting presided over by President Dudley who served until his death in 1914. The first championship meet was held at Vanderbilt May 15, 1896. By 1900, eight of the 13 charter SEC members were participating. The seven-member SIAA expanded to 19 institutions in 1895 (Alabama, Auburn, Central, Clemson, Cumberland, Georgia, Georgia Tech, Kentucky, LSU, Mercer, Mississippi State, Nashville, North Carolina, Sewanee, Southwestern Presbyterian, Tennessee, Texas, Tulane and Vanderbilt) and by 1920 there were 30 members. The larger schools reorganized as the Southern Conference at a meeting in Gainesville Dec. 12-13, 1920. Professor S.V. Sanford of Georgia called the meeting and served as the first president. Charter members of the Southern Conference included: Alabama, Auburn, Clemson, Georgia, Georgia Tech, Kentucky, Maryland, Mississippi State, North Carolina, North Carolina State, Tennessee, Virginia, Virginia Tech and Washington & Lee. Despite an original limit of 16, the membership grew to 23 by 1928. In 1922 Florida, Louisiana State, Mississippi, South Carolina, Tulane, Vanderbilt and Virginia Military joined, while Sewanee and Duke became members in 1923 and 1928 respectively. At one time or another, the SIAA and the SC included most of the Southern colleges from Virginia to Texas. The 13 members west and south of the Appalachian Mountains reorganized as the Southeastern Conference at the annual SC meeting of Dec. 8-9, 1932, in Knoxville. The 10 coast members remained in the Southern Conference. Dr. Frank L. McVey of Kentucky was elected president of the new conference whose charter members were: Alabama, Auburn, Florida, Georgia, Georgia Tech, Kentucky, Louisiana State, Mississippi, Mississippi State, Sewanee, Tennessee, Tulane and Vanderbilt. (Sewanee withdrew Dec. 13, 1940, Georgia Tech on June 1, 1964 and Tulane on June 1, 1966). McVey held an informal meeting of the school presidents in Birmingham Feb. 16, 1933, then the first full meeting in Atlanta Feb. 27. Faced with the task of conference realignment after competing with 10 members since 1966, the SEC welcomed the University of Arkansas on Aug. 1, 1990, and the University of South Carolina on Sept. 25, 1990. Both joined the SEC on July 1, 1991. Fully incorporated into conference competition by 1992, Arkansas and South Carolina participated in SEC championships for all sports except football during the 1991-92 academic year. The SEC was again at the forefront, introducing football, basketball and baseball divisional play and the nation s first-ever Division I football championship game. The conference welcomed Texas A&M University on Sept. 25, 2011, and University of Missouri on Nov. 6, 2011, in the only other expansion in SEC history. Both joined the SEC on July 1, 2012 and competed in their first year in all conference sports in 2012-13.

Office of The Commissioner The office of the commissioner was formed in 1940 in Jackson due to the great amount of detail work developing, especially in recruiting and eligibility. Martin S. Conner, former governor of the state of Mississippi, took office as Commissioner Aug. 21, 1940. Conner later became ill and the secretary of the conference, Dean N.W. Dougherty of Tennessee, served as Acting Commissioner during the fall of 1946. Bernie H. Moore became the second full-time Commissioner on Feb. 21, 1948, when the office moved to Birmingham. Moore, a former LSU coach, guided the SEC to national respect in his 18-year tenure. A.M. (Tonto) Coleman succeeded Moore as Commissioner upon his retirement April 1, 1966. The Alabama native, who was experienced in athletic coaching and administration, served six and a half years. Dr. H. Boyd McWhorter, then Dean of Arts and Sciences at Georgia and secretary of the league since 1967, accepted the position of Commissioner upon the retirement of Coleman Aug. 1, 1972. Under his leadership the SEC experienced unparalleled growth. In McWhorter s first year the SEC distributed $1.57 million and 14 years later, his final year as Commissioner in 1986, the league distributed $15 million in revenue to the member institutions. Dr. Harvey W. Schiller, an Air Force colonel and faculty chair at the U.S. Air Force Academy, followed McWhorter upon his retirement, taking office as Commissioner on Sept. 15, 1986. Under his guidance the SEC established itself as a leader in the areas of athletic scholarship and marketing. Roy F. Kramer succeeded Schiller on Jan. 10, 1990. Kramer, who served on numerous NCAA committees, joined the league office after spending 12 years as athletic director at Vanderbilt. Kramer was Commissioner for more than 12 years before retiring in 2002. The SEC expanded by two schools during his tenure, he created the ultra-successful SEC Football Championship Game and was instrumental in the creation of the Bowl Championship Series. Michael L. Slive, who served as Commissioner of Conference USA for seven years, was appointed the seventh Commissioner of the Southeastern Conference on July 2, 2002. Serving in the position for 13 years, he created a new culture of NCAA compliance in the league, oversaw the expansion of the SEC by two schools, negotiated landmark television agreements and engineered the birth of the SEC Network in a partnership with ESPN. He also played a key role in the development of the College Football Playoff. Gregory A. Sankey, a former Commissioner of the Southland Conference and 13-year veteran of the SEC Office, became the eighth commissioner of the Southeastern Conference on June 1, 2015. Sankey served under Slive as Associate Commissioner for Compliance and then Executive Associate Commissioner and Chief Operating Officer, playing a central role in crafting the new Autonomy structure of the NCAA that was adopted in January 2015. Sport Sponsorship The first SEC champions were crowned in 1933 in baseball, basketball, football and outdoor track. The league s inaugural championship event was a basketball tournament in Atlanta, Feb. 24-28, 1933. Records show the first men s team title for cross country was awarded in 1935, while golf and swimming were added in 1937. The league later began hosting championships in tennis (1938) and indoor track (1957). In the 1979-80 academic year SEC championships for women were recognized in basketball, tennis and volleyball. The following year golf, gymnastics, swimming and track & field were added. Soccer was added in 1993 and softball began SEC play in 1997. The administration of women s athletics officially came under the auspices of the conference office on Sept. 1, 1984. In 1993, the member institutions adopted The Principles of Gender Equity. Committed to increasing the quantity and quality of women s athletic opportunities, each school provides at least two more women s intercollegiate programs than the number of men s teams on each campus. The conference approved equestrian as its 21 st sponsored sport for the 2012-13 academic year. The SEC currently regulates nine men s sports and 12 women s sports: MEN S SPORTS Baseball Basketball Cross Country Football Golf Swimming Tennis Track & Field (Indoor) Track & Field (Outdoor) WOMEN S SPORTS Basketball Cross Country Equestrian Golf Gymnastics Soccer Softball Swimming Tennis Track & Field (Indoor) Track & Field (Outdoor) Volleyball

Table of Contents PAGE CONSTITUTION, ARTICLE 1... 1 Name, Purposes and Fundamental Policy *1.1 NAME... 1 *1.2 PURPOSES... 1 CONSTITUTION, ARTICLE 2... 2 Principles for the Conduct of Intercollegiate Athletics CONSTITUTION, ARTICLE 3... 3 SEC Membership 3.0 GENERAL PRINCIPLE... 3 3.1 MEMBERSHIP, TERMINATION, SUSPENSION... 3 *3.1.1 Number of Members... 3 *3.1.2 Granting of Membership... 3 *3.1.3 Suspension of Membership... 3 *3.1.4 Termination of Membership... 3 CONSTITUTION, ARTICLE 4... 4 Organization 4.1 CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICERS... 4 *4.1.1 Chief Executive Officers... 4 *4.1.2 Powers and Duties...4 4.2 CONFERENCE OFFICERS... 4 4.2.1 Composition... 4 *4.2.2 Election/Term of Office... 4 4.2.3 Powers and Duties... 4 4.2.3.1 President... 4 4.2.3.2 Vice President... 5 4.2.3.3 Secretary... 5 4.3 COMMITTEES... 5 4.3.1 Executive Committee... 5 4.3.1.1 Powers and Duties... 5 *4.3.3 Special Committees... 5 *4.4 COMMISSIONER... 5 4.4.1 Election... 5 i

4.4.2 Authority, Duties and Responsibilities... 5 4.4.3 Penalties and Sanctions... 6 CONSTITUTION, ARTICLE 5... 7 Legislative Authority and Process *5.0 GENERAL PRINCIPLE... 7 5.01.1 Governance... 7 5.01.2 Legislative Authority... 7 5.1 MEETINGS OF THE CONFERENCE... 7 5.1.1 Voting... 7 5.1.2 Regular Annual Meeting... 7 5.1.3 Special Meetings... 7 5.1.4 Authority to Call Special Meetings... 7 5.1.5 Notice of Special Meetings...7 5.1.6 Quorum...7 5.1.7 Parliamentary Procedure...7 5.1.8 Order of Business...7 5.1.9 Nature of all Meetings...7 5.2 MEETINGS OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE... 8 5.2.1 Meetings of the Executive Committee... 8 5.2.2 Nature of Meetings of the Executive Committee... 8 5.2.3 Quorum... 8 5.2.4 Notice of Meetings of the Executive Committee... 8 5.3 AMENDMENT AND SUSPENSION... 8 5.3.1 Amendment Process... 8 *5.3.1.1 Amendment... 8 *5.3.1.2 Amendment to Amendment... 8 *5.3.1.3 Voting Requirements... 8 *5.3.1.4 Effective Date... 8 CONSTITUTION, ARTICLE 6... 9 Institutional Control and Responsibility *6.1 INSTITUTIONAL RESPONSIBILITY... 9 BYLAW, ARTICLE 10... 10 Ethical Conduct (Code of Ethics) 10.1 STATEMENT OF PURPOSE... 10 10.2 RECRUITING... 10 ii

10.3 ACADEMIC INTEGRITY... 10 10.4 GAME MANAGEMENT... 11 10.5 SPORTSMANSHIP... 11 BYLAW, ARTICLE 12... 12 Amateurism 12.3 INTERACTION WITH SPORTS AGENTS... 12 12.3.1 Limitation on Access... 12 BYLAW, ARTICLE 13... 13 Recruiting 13.9 LETTER OF INTENT PROGRAMS, FINANCIAL AID AGREEMENTS...13 13.9.1 Annual Reporting...13 13.11 TRYOUTS...13 13.11.1.8 Non-Scholastic Football Events...13 13.11.1.9 On-Campus Evaluations...13 BYLAW, ARTICLE 14... 14 Eligibility: Academic and General Requirements 14.01 GENERAL PRINCIPLES... 14 14.01.1 Compliance With Other NCAA and Conference Legislation... 14 14.01.2 Uniform Limitations for Ineligible Student-Athletes... 14 14.1 GENERAL ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS... 14 14.1.1 Regular-Season and Postseason Competition... 14 14.1.2.2 Validity of Academic Credentials... 14 14.1.3 Student-Athlete Statement... 17 14.1.3.1 Content and Purpose... 17 14.1.15 Two-Year Eligibility... 17 14.1.15.1 Graduate Student Exception...17 14.1.15.3 Graduate Student Exception Conditions and Penalties...17 14.1.16 Postseason Competition...17 14.1.16.1 Acceptable Credit Hours... 17 14.1.16.1.2 Final Semester... 17 14.1.17 Class Attendance Policies... 18 14.1.18 Disciplinary Standards...18 14.1.19 Serious Misconduct...18 14.2 SEASONS OF COMPETITION: FIVE-YEAR RULE... 18 14.2.4 Hardship Waiver... 18 iii

14.3 FRESHMAN ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS... 18 14.3.2 Eligibility for Financial Aid, Practice and Competition... 18 14.3.2.1 Non-Qualifiers...18 14.3.5 Determination of Freshman Eligibility...19 14.3.5.1 Participation Prior to Certification...19 14.3.7 Two-Year Eligibility...20 14.4 PROGRESS-TOWARD-DEGREE REQUIREMENTS...20 14.4.10 Nontraditional Courses from Another Institution...20 14.5 TRANSFER REGULATIONS... 20 14.5.4 Two-Year College Transfers...20 14.5.4.2 Non-Qualifiers...20 14.5.5 Four-Year College Transfers.... 20 14.5.5.1 Transferring within the Southeastern Conference...20 14.5.5.6 Non-Qualifiers...20 14.5.5.6.1...20 14.5.5.6.1.1 Graduated Student Exception...21 14.5.6 "4-2-4" College Transfers - Non-Qualifiers...21 14.5.7 Waivers...21 14.7 ADDITIONAL WAIVERS FOR ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS... 21 14.7.2 Residence Requirement...21 14.10 CERTIFICATION OF ELIGIBILITY... 21 14.10.1 Institutional Responsibility for Eligibility Certification... 21 14.10.1.2 Certification of Eligibility Form...21 14.10.1.3 Certification of Eligibility Deadline...21 14.10.1.4 Certification of Continuing Eligibility in Additional Terms...21 BYLAW, ARTICLE 15... 22 Financial Aid 15.01 GENERAL PRINCIPLES... 22 15.01.1 Institutional Financial Aid Permitted... 22 15.01.2 Eligibility of Student-Athletes for Institutional Financial Aid... 22 15.01.3 Cost of Attendance Transparency...22 15.01.4 Consistency of Application...22 15.2 ELEMENTS OF FINANCIAL AID... 23 15.2.1 Summer Financial Aid... 23 15.2.2 Waivers...23 15.2.3 Forms...23 15.2.3.1 Mid-Year Enrollment...23 15.5 MAXIMUM INSTITUTIONAL GRANT-IN-AID LIMITATIONS BY SPORT... 23 iv

15.5.1.3 Counter Who Becomes Injured or Ill... 23 BYLAW, ARTICLE 16... 24 Awards, Benefits and Expenses for Enrolled Student-Athletes 16.2 COMPLIMENTARY ADMISSIONS AND TICKET BENEFITS... 24 16.2.1 Permissible Procedures... 24 16.2.1.1 Institutional Events in the Student-Athlete's Sport... 24 16.2.1.1.2 Exceptions -- SEC Championships, NCAA Championships, and Bowl Games...24 16.2.1.2 Regular Season Complimentary Admissions and Ticket Benefits: Men's Basketball and Football... 24 BYLAW, ARTICLE 17... 25 Playing and Practice Seasons 17.1 GENERAL PLAYING-SEASON REGULATIONS... 25 17.1.9 Southeastern Conference Limitation on Practice, Playing Season, Number of Contests and Squad Sizes... 25 17.30 PLAYING RULES...25 BYLAW, ARTICLE 18... 26 Championships and Tournaments 18.8 SOUTHEASTERN CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIPS AND TOURNAMENTS... 26 18.8.1 General Regulations... 26 BYLAW, ARTICLE 19... 27 Compliance and Enforcement 19.8 SOUTHEASTERN CONFERENCE COMPLIANCE PROGRAM... 27 19.8.1 General Provisions... 27 19.8.1.1 General Principles...27 19.8.1.2 Hiring Practices...27 19.8.2 Enforcement and Compliance Procedures... 27 19.8.2.1 Reports of Alleged Violations...27 19.8.2.2 Action by the Commissioner...28 19.8.2.3 Reinstatement of Eligibility...28 19.8.2.4 Appeals...28 19.8.2.5 Compliance Reviews and Legislative Services...29 BYLAW, ARTICLE 21... 30 Committees, Meetings and Other Events 21.8 COACHES' MEETINGS AND OTHER EVENTS...30 21.8.1 Attendance...30 21.8.2 Penalty...30 v

21.9 SPORTS COMMITTEES... 30 21.9.20 Southeastern Conference Sports Committees... 30 BYLAW, ARTICLE 22... 31 Media and Related Agreements 22.1 MEDIA AND RELATED AGREEMENTS...31 22.1.1 Conference Agreements Govern...31 22.1.2 Games and Telecasts...31 22.1.3 Football Video...31 ADMINISTRATIVE BYLAW, ARTICLE 30... 32 Administrative Regulations 30.20 OFFICIATING... 32 30.20.1 Baseball, Basketball, Football, Soccer, Softball and Volleyball Officiating.... 32 30.20.1.1 Compensation of Officials... 32 30.20.1.2 Approval, Evaluation and Assignment of Officials... 32 30.20.1.3 Commissioner's Regulations for Officiating... 32 30.20.2 Officiating for Sports Other than Baseball, Basketball, Football, Soccer, Softball and Volleyball...32 30.20.2.1 Regular-Season Competition... 32 30.20.2.2 Conference Championships and Tournaments... 32 30.20.3 Professional Sport Officials... 32 30.22 PROVISIONS AND STANDARDS FOR CONFERENCE SPORTS... 32 30.22.1 General Information.... 32 30.22.1.1 Regulated Sports... 32 30.22.1.2 Varsity and Junior-Varsity Sports... 33 30.22.1.3 Conference Championships... 33 30.22.1.4 Athletes-of-the-Year, Scholar-Athletes-of-the-Year, and Community Service Awards... 33 30.22.1.5 Playing Conditions... 34 30.22.1.6 Professional Competition...34 ADMINISTRATIVE BYLAW, ARTICLE 31... 35 Executive Regulations 31.20 REVENUE DISTRIBUTION - BASKETBALL... 35 31.20.1 Distribution of Revenue Generated by Basketball... 35 31.21 REVENUE DISTRIBUTION - FOOTBALL... 35 31.21.1 Distribution of Bowl Game Receipts... 35 31.21.2 Distribution of Football Television Receipts... 36 31.21.3 Football Championship Game Revenue... 36 31.22 REVENUE DISTRIBUTION - BASEBALL... 37 vi

31.22.1 Distribution of Revenue Generated by Baseball... 37 31.23 REVENUE DISTRIBUTION - ALL OTHER SPORTS... 37 31.23.1 Distribution of Revenue Generated by Other Sports... 37 31.24 DISTRIBUTION OF NCAA SPORT SPONSORSHIP AND GRANTS-IN-AID FUNDS... 37 31.24.1 Distribution of NCAA Sport Sponsorship and Grants-in-Aid Funds...37 31.25 AUTOMATIC RESTRICTION AGAINST PARTICIPATION IN DISTRIBUTION OF CONFERENCE FUNDS... 37 31.25.1 Restriction Against Participating in Distribution of Conference Funds...37 31.25.2 Escrow of Funds... 37 ADMINISTRATIVE BYLAW, ARTICLE 32... 38 Enforcement Policies and Procedures APPENDIX A...39 Southeastern Conference Penalties for Violations of Specified NCAA Bylaws APPENDIX B... 42 Southeastern Conference Minimum Expectations for Due Diligence Inquiries vii

CONSTITUTION, ARTICLE 1 Name, Purposes and Fundamental Policy 1.1 Name... 1 1.2 Purposes... 1 *1.1 NAME The name of this association shall be the Southeastern Conference. *1.2 PURPOSES The purpose and mission of the Southeastern Conference is educational within the meaning of Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Intercollegiate athletics programs provide fundamental lessons in leadership and teamwork, and about winning and losing that have an irreplaceable role in the greater world of business, government, military, and academic pursuits. In no event shall the Conference engage in any activity or take any action inconsistent with its educational purpose and mission, and nothing in this Constitution, or in the Bylaws or Regulations, shall authorize any such activity or action. To further its educational purpose and mission, the Conference shall direct and organize interscholastic athletic competitions, conduct tournaments, and prescribe eligibility rules for contestants. The Conference shall also facilitate and assist its member institutions in maintaining intercollegiate athletic programs compatible with the highest standards of education and competitive sports. Through the orderly enactment and enforcement of legislation, the Conference aims: (a) To encourage sound academic practices for student-athletes; (b) To foster strong competition among the teams of its member institutions in a broad spectrum of amateur sports and championships; (c) To assure proper emphasis on the funding of athletic activities; (d) To stimulate good sportsmanship; (e) To provide leadership and a voice in the development of public attitudes toward intercollegiate sports generally; and (f) To address the future needs of athletics in a spirit of cooperation and mutual benefit of the member institutions and their studentathletes. [Adopted: 6/15/06] 1

CONSTITUTION, ARTICLE 2 Principles for the Conduct of Intercollegiate Athletics The Southeastern Conference subscribes to the principles for the conduct of intercollegiate athletics set forth in Article 2 of the NCAA Constitution and assists its member institutions in promoting these principles. 2

CONSTITUTION, ARTICLE 3 SEC Membership 3.0 General Principle... 3 3.1 Membership, Termination, Suspension and Dues... 3 3.0 GENERAL PRINCIPLE The SEC is both a competitive body and a legislative body, as defined in Articles 3.02.1 and 3.02.2 of the NCAA Constitution. 3.1 MEMBERSHIP, TERMINATION, SUSPENSION *3.1.1 Number of Members. The number of members of the Conference shall be set by the Chief Executive Officers. [Revised: 5/30/91] *3.1.2 Granting of Membership. Membership may be granted by invitation of the Conference at a meeting of the Chief Executive Officers. A vote of at least three-fourths of the members is required to extend an invitation for membership. [Revised: 5/30/91] [Clarified/Conformed 6/1/11] *3.1.3 Suspension of Membership. Membership may be suspended at a meeting of the Chief Executive Officers. A member may be suspended at any time by a vote of at least two-thirds of the members, either indefinitely or for a stated period, for any conduct deemed to be incompatible with membership. [Clarified/Conformed 6/1/11] *3.1.4 Termination of Membership. Membership may be terminated voluntarily by the resignation of a member or involuntarily at a meeting of the Chief Executive Officers. A vote of at least two-thirds of the members is required to terminate membership. Any motion to terminate membership shall specify the effective date of the proposed termination. [Clarified/Conformed 6/1/11] 3

CONSTITUTION, ARTICLE 4 Organization 4.1 Chief Executive Officers... 4 4.2 Conference Officers... 4 4.3 Committees... 5 4.4 Commissioner... 5 4.1 CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICERS *4.1.1 Chief Executive Officers. The President or Chancellor of each member shall be a Chief Executive Officer of the Conference. Accordingly, there shall be one Chief Executive Officer for each member. The Chief Executive Officers shall act at the regular annual meeting of the Conference or at specially called meetings of the Conference, as set forth in Article 5. [Clarified/Conformed/Renumbered 6/1/11] *4.1.2 Powers and Duties. The Chief Executive Officers shall have plenary power and authority with respect to all affairs of the Conference of any type or nature whatsoever, subject only to any specific provisions and restrictions imposed by the Constitution and Bylaws. Without limitation, the Chief Executive Officers may: [Revised/Clarified/Conformed/Renumbered 6/1/11] (a) Take all actions specified and contemplated in Article 3, in their sole discretion. (b) Place on probation until the next regular annual meeting of the Conference any member that violates any provision of the Constitution, Bylaws, or other rules, regulations, legislation or policies of the Conference or of the NCAA (which probation shall be on such terms, conditions, restrictions, and pursuant to such other parameters as may be deemed appropriate under the circumstances); (c) Prohibit any member s team from being recognized as Conference champion; (d) Prohibit any member s team from participating in Conference sponsored games, events, meets or tournaments; (e) Prohibit any member s team from participating in pre-season or post-season athletic events, including Conference championships; (f) Prohibit any institution from participating in the distribution of Conference funds (including funds from bowls, television or tournaments); (g) Impose any other penalty which they consider appropriate; and (h) Hear and decide appeals from decisions and actions of the Commissioner and the Executive Committee in disciplinary and enforcement matters under procedures specified in the Bylaws. 4.2 CONFERENCE OFFICERS 4.2.1 Composition. The three officers of the Conference shall be a President and a Vice-President, who shall be selected from the Chief Executive Officers, and a Secretary, who shall be a Faculty Athletics Representative. [Clarified/Conformed 6/1/11] *4.2.2 Election/Term of Office. The three officers shall be elected by the Chief Executive Officers at each regular annual meeting of the Conference, to take office immediately. They shall be elected to serve for a period of one year, and the President and Vice- President shall not be eligible to serve for more than two terms in succession. The Secretary shall serve unlimited terms if so elected. Each officer shall be elected from a different member institution. [Revised: 5/30/91] [Clarified/Conformed 6/1/11] 4.2.3 Powers and Duties. [Clarified/Conformed 6/1/11] 4.2.3.1 President. The President shall preside at all meetings of the Conference and the Executive Committee, may call a meeting of the Conference or of the Executive Committee, shall be the official representative of the Conference in all its business and other relations with persons or organizations concerning intercollegiate athletics, and, in conjunction with the 4

Commissioner, shall take such other actions and have such other authority as shall be directed/conferred by the Conference or the Executive Committee. 4.2.3.2 Vice-President. The Vice-President shall perform the duties of the President in the latter s absence or disability and shall assist the President in the performance of Conference business when called upon to do so. 4.2.3.3 Secretary. The Secretary shall keep the minutes of all meetings of the Conference and the Executive Committee. 4.3 COMMITTEES 4.3.1 Executive Committee. There shall be an Executive Committee of the Conference. The members of the Executive Committee shall be the three officers of the Conference and four individuals elected at the regular annual meeting of the Conference. The four elected members shall be from different institutions and from institutions other than those of the three officers. The four elected members shall serve staggered terms of no more than three years, as determined by the Conference, with at least one member rotating off each year. One and only one of the elected members shall be a Chief Executive Officer who is not an officer of the Conference. One and only one of the elected members shall be a Director of Athletics. One and only one of the elected members shall be a Senior Woman Administrator or shall have primary responsibility for the administration of women s athletics. One and only one of the elected members shall be a Faculty Representative. [Clarified/Conformed/Revised: 6/1/11] 4.3.1.1 Powers and Duties. The powers and duties of the Executive Committee shall be as follows: [Clarified/Conformed: 6/1/11] (a) It shall meet at the regular annual meeting of the Conference and at other times on the call of the President or the Commissioner; (b) It shall fix the times and the places of the regular annual meeting of the Conference; (c) It shall hear and decide appeals from Adverse Actions of the Commissioner in disciplinary and enforcement matters as is provided in Bylaw 19; (d) Between regular annual meetings, it shall fill any vacancy which may occur in any of the three officer positions or in its own membership; (e) Unless the Constitution or Bylaws require action by the Chief Executive Officers, and unless a meeting of the Chief Executive Officers is called, it shall, as necessary or appropriate, approve all contracts and agreements of the Conference, authorize or ratify actions of the Commissioner and otherwise determine and direct the policy of the Conference on any matter which may arise between regular annual meetings, if such matter cannot be disposed of satisfactorily by an existing rule or precedent; (f) It shall approve the annual operating budget of the Conference, and shall oversee all financial and fiscal affairs of the Conference as administered by the Commissioner; and (g) It shall take such other actions and make such other decisions as may be specified in other provisions in the Constitution, Bylaws, and Commissioner s Regulations. *4.3.3 Special Committees. The Conference may create other regular or special committees from time to time. [Clarified/Conformed/Renumbered: 6/1/11] *4.4 COMMISSIONER 4.4.1 Election. The Commissioner shall be elected by a majority vote of the Chief Executive Officers at a regular or called meeting for a term not to exceed six years. [Revised: 5/30/91] [Clarified/Conformed: 6/1/11] 4.4.2 Authority, Duties and Responsibilities. [Revised/Clarified/Conformed: 6/1/11] (a) The Commissioner shall be responsible for and have authority for the administration and operations of the Conference; (b) The Commissioner shall be charged with the duty of implementing, administering and enforcing the Constitution, Bylaws, and other rules, regulations, and legislation of the Conference and the NCAA, and shall be vested with broad discretionary authority to carry out the duties of the position, including the authority to assess penalties and sanctions as contemplated and authorized in the Constitution and Bylaws; (c) The Commissioner shall have authority to determine whether any student-athlete is eligible for intercollegiate athletic competition, athletically-related aid, and for practice in each sport in which a member institution sponsors a varsity or junior 5

varsity team (whether the Conference declares a Champion in that sport or not), which authority shall include the power to declare a student-athlete ineligible as a result of a violation of any of the provisions of the Constitution, Bylaws, and other rules, regulations, and legislation of the Conference and the NCAA, as well as the power and discretion to restore the eligibility of a student-athlete; (d) When it comes to the attention of the Commissioner that a student-athlete may be guilty of committing a flagrant, disqualifying foul on the field of play or at a contest site, or may be guilty of any unsportsmanlike act, the Commissioner may rule the student-athlete ineligible permanently or for a fixed period, or the Commissioner may, with or without publicity, warn the student-athlete and the student-athlete s coach and member institution that, if there is a repetition of such conduct, the studentathlete could be ruled ineligible permanently; (e) The Commissioner is the official Conference interpreter of Constitution, Bylaws, Commissioner s Regulations, and other rules, regulations, legislation and policies of the Conference and the NCAA; (f) The Commissioner shall present an operating budget to the Executive Committee each year for approval and shall act as custodian of all Conference funds; (g) The Commissioner shall furnish each member with copies of the Constitution and Bylaws annually and shall provide to all members copies of the minutes of all meetings of the Conference and Executive Committee as soon after the meetings as may be practicable; (h) The Commissioner shall arrange suitable accommodations for all in-person meetings of the Conference and the Executive Committee, and attend to such other details with reference thereto as may be necessary; (i) With the approval of the Executive Committee, the Commissioner may appoint and employ such personnel as may be necessary to the performance of the functions of the Conference office; (j) The Commissioner may call meetings of the Executive Committee or, after consultation with the President, of the Conference; (k) The Commissioner may enter into contracts and agreements on behalf of and to bind the Conference, either in specific instances as authorized by, or pursuant to authority generally granted by, the Chief Executive Officers or the Executive Committee; and (l) The Commissioner shall have authority to issue such interpretations, rules, regulations, memoranda, instructions, forms and procedures as may be necessary or appropriate in the performance of these duties, and in standardizing practices of the Conference, including memoranda or guidance to provide direction and information concerning the enforcement of the Constitution, Bylaws, and rules and regulations of the Conference and of the NCAA. 4.4.3 Penalties and Sanctions. Without limitation, the Commissioner shall have the following powers and authority with respect to penalties and sanctions: [Revised/Clarified/Conformed: 6/1/11] (a) The Commissioner may impose a fine or other penalties or sanctions appropriate under the circumstances, in his or her discretion, against any member institution that violates any of the provisions of the Constitution, Bylaws, or other rules, regulations, or legislation of the Conference or the NCAA. (b) The Commissioner may impose a fine or other penalties or sanctions appropriate under the circumstances, in his or her discretion, against any Athletic Director, coach, or other member of the athletics department of a member institution who violates any of the provisions of the Constitution, Bylaws, or other rules, regulations, or legislation of the Conference or the NCAA. The penalties that the Commissioner may impose include but are not limited to, singly or in combination: (1) Suspension from contests or other athletically related activities; (2) Limiting coaching duties, including those related to recruiting; and (3) Public or private reprimands. (c) The Commissioner may declare ineligible, either permanently or for such shorter period as the Commissioner in his or her discretion may determine to be appropriate, any student-athlete or prospective student-athlete who violates (or who was actively involved in a violation of) any of the provisions of the provisions of the Constitution, Bylaws, or other rules, regulations, or legislation of the Conference or the NCAA. (d) The Commissioner shall not impose the penalties/sanctions or take the actions contemplated or specified in Article 3 or in Article 4.1.2 (b) (e), with respect to which authority is specifically reserved to the Chief Executive Officers. 6

CONSTITUTION, ARTICLE 5 Legislative Authority and Process 5.0 General Principles... 7 5.1 Meetings of the Conference... 7 5.2 Meetings of the Executive Committee... 8 5.3 Amendment and Suspension... 8 *5.0 GENERAL PRINCIPLES 5.01.1 Governance. The Conference shall be governed by the Constitution, Bylaws, and other rules, regulations, and legislation of the Conference and the NCAA. 5.01.2 Legislative Authority. All sports sponsored by members of the Southeastern Conference shall be subject to the applicable academic provisions of the Conference s Constitution and Bylaws, including those sports in which the SEC does not sponsor a championship. [Revised: 5/30/03 effective for student-athletes first entering a member institution on or after August 1, 2003] 5.1 MEETINGS OF THE CONFERENCE [Article 5.1 -- Revised/Clarified/Conformed 6/1/11] 5.1.1 Voting. Each member of the Conference shall be entitled to one vote at meetings of the Conference; provided, however, that a member may not vote if the member is not in good standing. A vote of a majority of the members present and voting at a duly convened meeting at which a quorum is present shall constitute action of the Conference unless a supermajority vote is otherwise required by the Constitution or Bylaws. A member shall not be in good standing if the member has been suspended from membership or if a vote has been taken at which its membership has been terminated. The vote of each member shall be cast by the Chief Executive Officer who is the President or Chancellor of the member; provided, however, that a Chief Executive Officer may designate another representative of the member to attend or participate in meetings of the Conference and vote on behalf of the member. References in the Constitution and Bylaws to action or a vote of the Conference indicates that an action or vote of the Chief Executive Officers, or their designees, is contemplated and required. References in the Constitution and Bylaws to action being taken by the Conference indicate that action has been or shall be taken by the Chief Executive Officers, or their designees. 5.1.2 Regular Annual Meeting. The Conference shall hold one regular annual meeting each calendar year. This meeting shall be held in conjunction with the spring meeting of the Directors of Athletics. The exact time and place shall be determined by the Executive Committee. 5.1.3 Special Meetings. Special meetings of the Conference may be held from time to time, as necessary or appropriate. Special meetings may be conducted/attended in person, by telephone/conference call, or by use of video-conferencing services if such services are arranged by the Commissioner. 5.1.4 Authority to Call Special Meetings. The President or the Commissioner (acting in consultation with the President) may call a special meeting of the Conference. In addition, upon the request of the Executive Committee or upon written request of at least a majority of the Chief Executive Officers of the Conference, the Commissioner shall call a special meeting of the Conference. 5.1.5 Notice of Special Meetings. The President or Commissioner, as the case may be, shall provide notice of each special meeting that is reasonable under the circumstances giving rise to the meeting. The notice shall, to the extent practicable, specify the nature of the matters to be considered at the meeting. 5.1.6 Quorum. A majority of the members entitled to vote shall constitute a quorum at any meeting of the Conference. 5.1.7 Parliamentary Procedure. Upon request, the parliamentary procedure of the Conference shall be governed by Robert s Rules of Order, Newly Revised. 5.1.8 Order of Business. The usual order of business at regular annual meetings of the Conference shall be determined by the President in consultation with the Commissioner. 5.1.9 Nature of all Meetings. All meetings of the Conference shall be transacted in executive session. 7

5.2 MEETINGS OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE [Clarified/Conformed/Renumbered 6/1/11] 5.2.1 Meetings of the Executive Committee. The President or the Commissioner may call a meeting of the Executive Committee. Any member of the Committee employed by a member directly interested in any matter submitted to the Committee or under consideration by it shall be disqualified to participate in consideration of or vote with respect to the matter, and it shall be the duty of the presiding officer to appoint a disinterested representative to act in place of the party disqualified. 5.2.2 Nature of Meetings of the Executive Committee. Open meetings of the Executive Committee may be held with the approval of a majority of the members of the Executive Committee, but all business of the Executive Committee shall be transacted in executive session. 5.2.3 Quorum. A quorum of the Executive Committee shall consist of not less than four members, provided that one of the members must be a Chief Executive Officer. Each member of the Committee shall be entitled to one vote. The Executive Committee shall act in accordance with votes of a majority of its members unless a greater vote is otherwise required by the Constitution or Bylaws. 5.2.4 Notice of Meetings of the Executive Committee. The President or Commissioner, as the case may be, shall provide notice of each Executive Committee meeting that is reasonable under the circumstances giving rise to the meeting. The notice shall, to the extent practicable, specify the nature of the matters to be considered at the meeting. 5.3 AMENDMENT AND SUSPENSION [Clarified/Conformed/Renumbered/Revised: 6/1/11] 5.3.1 Amendment Process. *5.3.1.1 Amendment. The provisions of the Constitution and Bylaws may be amended only at a meeting of the Conference. All proposed amendments to the Constitution or Bylaws must be submitted to all members in writing by the Commissioner not less than 21 calendar days prior to the meeting. *5.3.1.2 Amendment to Amendment. A proposed amendment to a provision of the Constitution or Bylaws may be amended at any meeting. *5.3.1.3 Voting Requirements. An amendment (or amendment to amendment) of a dominant provision (denoted by an asterisk in the margin of the provision) requires a two-thirds vote of all of the members of the Conference in good standing, whether all of the members of the Conference are present at or participating in the meeting or not. All other amendments require a vote of a majority of all of the members of the Conference in good standing, whether all of the members of the Conference are present at or participating in the meeting or not. *5.3.1.4 Effective Date. All amendments shall become effective immediately unless a different date is specified. 8

CONSTITUTION, ARTICLE 6 Institutional Control and Responsibility 6.1 Institutional Responsibility... 9 *6.1 INSTITUTIONAL RESPONSIBILITY The Chief Executive Officer of each member of the Conference is charged with full responsibility for enforcing the Constitution, Bylaws, and other rules, regulations, and legislation of the Conference and the NCAA at his or her respective member institution. 9

BYLAW, ARTICLE 10 Ethical Conduct (Code of Ethics) 10.1 Statement of Purpose... 10 10.2 Recruiting... 10 10.3 Academic Integrity... 10 10.4 Game Management... 11 10.5 Sportsmanship... 11 The Southeastern Conference embraces the principles of ethical conduct stated in the NCAA Manual. 10.1 STATEMENT OF PURPOSE The members of the Southeastern Conference subscribe to the principle that intercollegiate athletics is a legitimate and important part of higher education, is regarded as a significant part of the university culture, and shall be administered and conducted in a manner consistent with the institution s educational policies. It is the function of the Conference to encourage intercollegiate athletics on an amateur basis with effective institutional control and to establish and promote the highest possible standards of personal conduct by all those who administer and participate in the events that provide the competitive experience. Therefore, the Southeastern Conference sets forth this code to maintain intercollegiate athletics in harmony with the essential educational purposes of the institution. A spirit of mutual trust and cooperation is fundamental to the successful application of the rules of the Conference and this code of ethical behavior. 10.1.1 Each coach shall annually, prior to October 1 of each academic year, provide a written certification to the Commissioner that (a) he or she has read the Constitution, Bylaws, and the Commissioner s Regulations governing his or her sport, as well as all provisions in the NCAA Manual applicable to his/her sport and (b) he or she is aware of no unreported violations of the Constitution, Bylaws, and other rules, regulations, and legislation of the Conference or of the NCAA. Failure to execute such a certification may subject the individual to penalties or sanctions from the Commissioner. [Revised: 6/1/96 and 6/1/11] 10.2 RECRUITING 10.2.1 Coaches shall comply with and promote compliance with all rules and regulations of the Conference and the NCAA and are accountable for the highest standards of honesty and integrity in order to provide a fair and equitable opportunity for each prospective student-athlete to make an informed and properly-considered commitment to the university of his/her choice. [Clarified/Conformed 6/1/11] 10.2.2 The right of a prospective student-athlete to obtain accurate information to aid in the decision process must be respected. Thus, no coach shall provide false or misleading information, or offer inducements that are violations of the rules or regulations of their member institution, the Southeastern Conference or the NCAA. [Clarified/Conformed 6/1/11] 10.2.3 Coaches and other member personnel shall advocate the positive advantages and attributes of their university and its intercollegiate athletics program and shall avoid making any derogatory statements concerning another member institution s athletics program, facilities or educational opportunities. 10.2.4 Coaches shall strictly adhere to all applicable rules related to the involvement of alumni and boosters in the recruiting of prospective student-athletes. 10.2.5 A request by a prospective student-athlete to be subjected to no further recruitment shall be respected. 10.3 ACADEMIC INTEGRITY 10.3.1 Coaches shall only recruit prospective student-athletes who have the necessary academic background to succeed as students at his/her member institution. [Clarified/Conformed 6/1/11] 10

10.3.2 In determining a prospective student-athlete s initial eligibility status, each member institution shall be responsible for making every effort to assure that credentials utilized to determine eligibility are accurate and authentic. [Clarified/Conformed 6/1/11] 10.3.3 Each member institution shall provide student-athletes access to sufficient academic support services and counseling to meet their academic needs. [Clarified/Conformed 6/1/11] 10.3.4 Each member institution shall ensure that its coaches provide student-athletes the necessary time and resources to succeed academically in a meaningful degree program. [Clarified/Conformed 6/1/11] 10.3.5 Each coach, in conjunction with the appropriate academic authorities, shall monitor each student-athlete s academic performance to ensure satisfactory progress and timely graduation with a meaningful college degree. [Clarified/Conformed 6/1/11] 10.4 GAME MANAGEMENT 10.4.1 Each contest shall be played and administered according to the prescribed rules set forth by the Conference and the NCAA. 10.4.2 The host member institution shall ensure that the visiting team has an equal opportunity to compete successfully. The host member institution is solely responsible for providing adequate and appropriate crowd control, bench safety, access for press box communication and locker room security. [Clarified/Conformed 6/1/11] 10.5 SPORTSMANSHIP 10.5.1 Coaches and administrators shall refrain from public criticism of other member institutions, their staffs or players. Coaches and administrators shall also refrain from making public statements and accusations with regard to infractions concerning member institutions and their personnel. In response to questions by the media, it is appropriate to state that infractions are reported, investigated and addressed in accordance with established Conference and NCAA procedures. [Clarified/Conformed 6/1/11] 10.5.2 Coaches and administrators shall make every attempt to promote the Conference and its members in a positive manner. 10.5.3 Coaches and administrators shall make every effort to promote a cooperative environment with the media, providing them with reasonable access to players, injury information and staff interview opportunities. 10.5.4 Coaches, players and support personnel shall refrain from all public criticism of officials, which shall include making public any specific communications with the Conference office related to officiating. [Revised: 6/1/07] 10.5.5 Coaches and support personnel shall provide favorable examples in appearance, conduct, language and sportsmanship and shall refrain from personal conduct that may incite spectators. [Revised: 6/2/94] 10.5.6 Coaches and support personnel shall exhibit respect and courtesy toward opposing players and coaches. [Revised: 6/2/94] 10.5.7 Each member institution shall ensure that all students involved in athletics activities -- including student-athletes, band members, cheerleaders, mascots and students as fans -- are informed of the standards of behavior and sportsmanship that are expected of them. [Revised: 6/2/94] [Clarified/Conformed 6/1/11] 10.5.8 Coaches and student-athletes of a member institution, as well as individuals employed by or associated with that institution, including alumni, fans, patrons and boosters, shall conduct themselves with honesty and good sportsmanship. Their behavior shall at all times reflect the high standards of honor and dignity that characterize participation in the collegiate setting. For intercollegiate athletics to promote the character development of participants, to enhance the integrity of higher education and to promote civility in society, coaches, student-athletes and all others associated with these athletics programs and events should adhere to such fundamental values as respect, fairness, civility, honesty and responsibility. These values should be manifest not only in athletics participation but also in the broad spectrum of activities affecting the athletics program. It is the responsibility of each member institution to establish policies for sportsmanship and ethical conduct in intercollegiate athletics consistent with the educational mission and goals of the institution. Furthermore, member institutions are responsible for educating all constituencies about these policies on a continuing basis. [Adopted: 6/4/0; effective 8/1/04] 11